McBrayer playing the field

It's been a long journey to get to this point for Elizabeth (N.J.) The Patrick School guard Dupree McBrayer. Starting his high school career at Springfield Gardens in Queens, McBrayer then transferred to Quest Prep Academy in Las Vegas for his junior year before returning to the east coast for his senior year at The Patrick School. Now that he's graduated, McBrayer is close to selecting a prep school.

"It's being finalized now," McBrayer said. "I should know in the next few days. I decided to prep for development. Development of my game and my body. My doctor says I have a couple of more inches in me, so hopefully I can get to 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7."

Since returning to The Patrick School, the former home of Kyrie Irving and Michael Gilchrist, and more than holding his own on the Under Armour AAU Circuit with his New Heights team, McBrayer's recruitment certainly began to develop. Providence, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, St. John's, Rhode Island, Butler and Manhattan are among the schools that covet the 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard.

"My new offers were from Creighton, South Florida, Rice and Auburn," McBrayer said. "South Florida offered me the second game after I played in Las Vegas at the Fab 48. They want me to come visit."

Last week, McBrayer took a 10-minute ride over to St. John's campus for an unofficial visit.

"It was real cool, I had a chance to talk to everybody, Coach (Steve) Lavin, (assistant) Coach Rico (Hines), (assistant) Coach (Tony) Chiles. We didn't really talk about basketball, we talked about academics, stuff like that. I got to tour the whole campus and just had a great talk with Coach Lavin."

McBrayer has been a frequent visitor at St. John's. Are his repeat trips indicative of his high interest level, or is he simply taking advantage of opportunities to watch college games near home?

"I've been there working out, shooting on the gun and stuff, but I didn't go to any games," he said before mentioning relationships he has with current St. John's players.

"Chris Obekpa, we used to play in the same team when I was in the eighth grade," McBrayer said. "Phil Greene, me and him are good. I'm real close with Isaiah Briscoe, that's another St. John's recruit. Me and him, we talk a lot."

McBrayer, a Rivals three-star prospect in the class of 2015, plans to narrow things down and take official visits in September or October.

"I will schedule some official visits to schools that I know will develop me, try hard to get me to the next level after college and put me in a good place for when after the ball stops bouncing."

Schools that stand a good chance of getting one of his five official visits?

"Minnesota, Seton Hall, St. John's, and Creighton," McBrayer said. "Right now "I'll take some unofficials and let it play out and then I'll see where I take my officials to. I've got to take it real easy because a lot of good schools are coming after me. So I want to take it as easy as I can so that I pick the right school."